The idea has some precedence to back it up: France has seen success with the strategy, and a 2009 increase in US cigarette taxes that raised cigarette prices by 22% caused around 3 million fewer people to smoke just two years later.
(Newsy)

(Newser)
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A new study finds that 200 million deaths could be avoided by the year 2025 if we triple the taxes placed on tobacco around the world, Medical News Today reports. In some countries, the increase would double the price; the difference in cost between the cheapest and most expensive brands would also be diminished, meaning smokers wouldn't be likely to simply switch brands, because doing so wouldn't save them much money, says the World Health Organization.

In addition, the study notes, the higher cost of cigarettes would likely discourage young people from smoking. Extra revenue generated by the tax hike—the authors estimate $100 billion a year—could be spent on health care, the authors say. Though the strategy would be most effective in low- and middle-income countries, the authors say high-income countries would also see a decrease in consumption. Right now, taxes make up 30% to 40% of tobacco's cost in lower-income countries, the Mirror explains, while in higher-income countries, that number is between 50% and 60%.

NO ... it will create a black market for goods & services. Do you LEFT WING PROGRESSIVE-FASCISTS who believe in BUREAUCRATIC-DICTATE ever learn?

MattB

Jan 3, 2014 11:07 AM CST

How about we spend this money time & effort on people WHO WANT HELP OR REALLY NEEDED IT! Not on a person who wants to do something harmfull to themselves... If they are informed & still make that decision.... THATS THEIR RIGHT! Better things to worry about, but oh no lets waste more & more!

JERZJOE

Jan 3, 2014 10:38 AM CST

look at the word "could" !!! the gov't don't want you to stop smoking those coffin nails!! they get the tax $$$ from them & then if you croak before 62. the gov;t gets to keep all you social security $$$ you put in up to the date you croak. they can't lose. next marijuwanna triple tax in the future too. ha,ha,